About Us

Built from experience.
Driven by purpose.

Every Three Seconds was founded by Sonia Ackun, a nurse and specialist practitioner with over 40 years of experience working with women affected by abuse, trauma and substance misuse.

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Our Story

Throughout Sonia’s career, she saw first-hand how abuse affects confidence, decision-making and overall wellbeing.

Sonia saw women living with abuse in silence, often unaware that what they were experiencing had a name, unsure where to turn, or too fearful to seek help.

We have created a space focused not just on understanding abuse, but on rebuilding confidence, identity and independence. A programme that supported women to make sense of their experiences, find their strength and build community with others who truly understood.

Every Three Seconds is Sonia's answer to that gap.

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We exist to help eradicate violence against women and children.

Through the Oasis of Strength programme, we support women to understand their experiences, rebuild their confidence and reclaim their independence.

We create structured, supportive spaces where women can reflect, connect and be heard, at their own pace and without judgement.

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Our Values

  • Safety First

    Every decision we make, every word we choose, is guided by the safety and wellbeing of the women we serve.

  • No women left behind

    Abuse does not discriminate. Our programme is inclusive, culturally aware and open to women regardless of background or circumstance.

  • Knowledge is Power

    We believe that understanding your experience is the first step to changing it. Education and awareness sit at the heart of everything we do.

  • Rooted in reality

    Our work is grounded in lived experience and decades of frontline practice. We speak from a place of genuine understanding, not assumption.

Sonia’s Story

"Every Three Seconds was founded from both lived experience and over 40 years of working with women affected by abuse.

Through my nursing career and wider work with women impacted by trauma, I saw first-hand how abuse affects confidence, decision-making and overall wellbeing.

What I wanted to create was a programme that not only helped women understand their experiences, but supported them to rebuild their lives and find community within their communities. I strongly believe knowledge is power. Every Three Seconds is my way of giving something back, and of being part of the solution."

- Sonia Ackun, Founder

  • “When I first joined the programme I was still in denial that I wasn’t abused and that there was only elements of it in my relationship.

    I also believed that there are other people out there in worse situations than me and justified the fact that what he was doing to me wasn’t that bad. I didn’t expect to learn about how much more I had been abused in a lot more areas.”

  • “I have been well supported, felt relaxed and think I can do and say things I couldn’t.

    I felt safe because it felt like being around family. I am sleeping much better and more uplifted”

  • “Thank you so much for this wonderful group. The last 12 weeks have been filled with so much healing and sisterhood.

    Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I initially joined, and I was scared that I would be too shy to fully express myself. But every week, I saw myself break through self-doubt because of how safe I felt in the group.”

  • "I’m deeply grateful for this journey as it has been such a significant part of my healing process.

    To someone considering support, I’d want them to know- it’s okay to not have everything figured out. It’s okay to feel unsure or overwhelmed—support is available, and you don’t have to face things alone. Every bad situation isn’t the end of the story; there’s hope and help out there for everyone.”

  • "My experience with Oasis of Strength was truly transformative for me.

    It provided a safe and supportive environment where I could open up, share my experiences, and heal from things I didn’t even realize I had gone through. It allowed me to see my journey from a broader perspective and gain valuable insights into how people function, what to embrace, and what to avoid in the future. “

  • "This experience was life-changing and gave me more confidence in the value of therapy and support.

    The sense of community and belonging among the women was incredible—it felt like finding a family of sisters who understood and uplifted one another. The structure of the sessions was perfect—not overly rigid—which encouraged authentic self-expression and deep connection.”

  • "The Oasis of Strength Programme has allowed parents we work with to easily access an online supportive and robust learning group.

    Facilitated by an experienced professional, discussions are guided in order to encourage thoughtful reflection. A large part of its success is the peer support offered, as listening and talking to others with lived experience has a profound impact on parents’ ability to reflect on their own experiences. A recent parent who completed the course said that she had learn to “break lines and how to choose not to go into a toxic relationship and find your partner wisely which is healthy for you and your child…” Overall she was happy to have done the Oasis course as it has taught her how piece of mind and a relaxed atmosphere is so much better than a stressful situation that she has been in before in her relationships.”

  • "I have been well supported, felt relaxed and think I can do and say things I couldn’t.

    I felt safe because it felt like being around family. I am sleeping much better and more uplifted”

  • "I’m a free person and I am only going to worry about me from now on.

    I am thinking more of myself and try not to worry what other people think of me. This programme is what I have been looking for years and so happy I found wonderful ladies and understanding of everybody’s needs. I am listened to and I get support because you feel so lonely in your life.”